Leg rest mechanism for reclining articles of furniture



N5v 3, 1959 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 2,911,032

LEG REST MECHANISM FOR RECLINING ARTICLES 0F FURNITURE Filed June 8, 1956 57 56 I04 2" m2 6 INVENTOR.

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" ATTORNEY'S United States Patent v REST MECHANISM FOR RECLINING ARTICLES OF FURNITURE I Fridtjof F. Schliephacke,,Berlin-Dahlem, Germany, as-

' signor to Anton Lorenz, Greenwich, Conn.

This invention relates to articles of furniture or seating units adjustable from a regular sitting position to a more or less reclining position. In particular it relates to such articles provided with a leg rest which occupies a retracted or inoperative position when the seating elements are in a position to support the body in an upright sitting position and which is raised so as to support the legs when the seating elements are moved toa reclining position.

The seating elements comprise a back rest and a seat which may be mounted in a swingable manner upon a base resting on the floor. The back rest and seat may be separately pivoted to the base and so connected by linkage that when the back rest is tilted backward the seat will be tilted upward at its forward edge. In other instances the back rest and seat may be a rigid unit which tilts so as to incline the back rest and tilt the forward edge of the seat upward. In either case the leg rest portion is pivoted to the front part of the seat and linkage is provided which raises the leg rest portion when the back rest and seat tilt. Such linkage maybe operated to raise the leg rest by means of a connection to the pivoted back rest or the linkage may be connected to the tilting seat and to the fixed base so that tilting of the seat provides power for raising the leg rest. The latter construction is also applicable to the unit construction ofthe back rest and seat.

In previous constructions involving a leg rest and linkage for raising it, the links and levers used have extended a considerable distance below the seat level, frequently almost to the floor, and have necessitated the use of a stationary base closed in all the way to the fioor so as to conceal the linkage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a leg rest operating linkage which is located as close to the seat level and as far above the floor as possible so as to enable the article of furniture to be built with an open base. This permits the article to present the appearance of an ordinary article of furniture supported upon legs and open underneath so as to provide a stylish and airy appearance. Other objects are to improve the construction and general efliciency of reclining articles of furniture.

In general the objects of the invention are secured by mounting the leg rest on rigid arms pivoted on the side members of the seat near the front edge of the seat but spaced rearwardly therefrom a short distance and also spaced a short distance below the actual seating surface of the seat. The edge of the leg rest nearest to the seat is spaced from the pivotal axis of the arms a sufficient distance to permit the arms to swing into a substantially horizontal position, the leg rest clearing the front edge "of the seat and projecting in a more or less horizontal direction forwardly therefrom. A linkage is used which has its leg rest operating links connected to the leg rest supporting arms at points near the pivotal axis of 'the arms.

The invention of this application is related to that disclosed in my application No. 590,189 filed June 8, 1956. In that application the generic features common Fatented Nov. 3, a

to the two applications are claimed. A particular characteristic of the form of invention shown in said application is in the use of tension links connected to extensions of the leg rest carrying arms above thepivotal axis thereof. In accordance with the form of the invention covered in the .present case the linkage exerts a push ing or thrusting force on the leg rest carrying arms by means of links connected to said arms just below the pivotal axis thereof and preferably at points within the Outline of the seat side frames, the links being connected to the arms between the inner edge of the leg rest and the pivotal axis of the arms.

The linkage is kept as=near to the seat level as possible so as to be concealed by the seat side members or by the stationary frame or base which is so designed as to terminate above the floor as high as possible, as already stated. In some of the forms of the invention a series of links and levers or guide plates are used lying closely along or within the side members of the seat and in some cases one or more guide levers or plates are fulcrumed on the seat itself. In some instances power transmitting or drive links lead from the guide levers or plates tothe movable back rest, in other cases such links are anchored to the fixed supporting frame, or a combination of both connections may be used.

In the accompanying drawings certain preferred embodiments of the invention are shown for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying one form of the invention. In this as in subsequent views a part of the side frame of the chair is shown broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevationof the chair shown in Fig. l in an upright or sitting position with the leg rest moved out of the way under the chair seat.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another in the sitting position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the chair shown in Fig. 3 in reclining position.

Figs. 5 and 6 show another form of the invention in sitting and reclining positions respectively.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the chair shown comprises a frame 20 having legs 22 connected by side frame members 24. Arms 26 are also shown The frame shown is conventional and obviously may be of any desired form, depending upon the style of the chair and use to which it is to be put. The present trend of fashion is to provide a chair which stands upon legs so that the body of the chair is raised from the floor, thereby pro- Viding an article of furniture which is light and airy in appearance and under which a broom or a vacuum cleaner may be passed. The chair is provided with a back rest 28 which is pivoted to the frame at 30 and with a seat 32 which is also pivoted to the frame at 30. Obviously the seat and back rest do not have to be pivoted at the same point, but this is usually found most convenient. The seat and back rest may be of any suitable construction, but are illustrated as upholstered parts of substantial thickness. As shown in Fig. l, the seat comprises side frames 34 between which are mounted springs 36 covered by the usual covering 38 of padding and fabric.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the chair seat and back are shown as connected by a linkage which serves to tilt the chair seat upward as the back is tilted or swung backward. A relationship which is usually found satisfactory is for the seat to be tilted up at half the angle at which the back rest is swung backward. This gives what is usually found to be a desirable angle for the back and seat. Of course this is subject to modification as desired. Any suitable linkage connecting the back rest and seat may be provided, the linkage being preferably duplicated ateach side of the seat. In the construction shown in these figures a guide plate 43 is pivoted at 44 to a bracket 45 on the chair frame member 24. The plate 43 is also form of the chair 3. pivoted at 46 to a guide link 47 pivoted to the chair seat at 48. A drive link 49 is pivoted at 50 to the lower end of the back rest 28 below the pivotal point 30 thereof, the link 49 being pivoted to the plate 43 at.51. In this form of the invention the leg rest member 54 is mounted on rigid arms 56 which are pivoted to the seat side members at 58 and are connected by linkages to the guide plates: 43. In the instance shown this linkage includes forward links 62 which are pivoted to the arms 56 at points 64 which are below the pivotal axis 58 of the arms but near to such axis and within the confines of the seat side frames. The links 62 are pivoted at 66 to twoarmed guide levers 68 which are pivoted at 70 to the seat side frames. The lower arms of the guide levers are pivoted at 72 to the connecting links 74 which are pivoted at 76 to the guide plates 43. With the construction shown it will be seen that the tilting of the back rest acting through the plates 43 and links 47 tilts the forward edge of the seat upward. The movement of the guide plates 43 also pulls on the links 74 which swing the guide levers 68 and cause the upper ends of the latter to push on the links 62 and thereby raise the leg rest 54. It will be seen that the guide levers 68 are pivoted di rectly upon the seat side frames so that the linkage is mounted close to the level of the seat and the forward connecting links 62 are alongside of the seat side frames and act in a direction substantially parallel thereto. By modifying the relative length of the arms of the guide lever 68 above and below the pivot 70 the linkage ratio may be changed so as to advance and raise the leg rest in desired relationship to the movement of the back rest and seat.

It will be observed that the pivotal points 64 where the thrust links 62 are pivoted to the arms 56 are in rear of and below the points 58 at which the arms are pivoted to the chair seat when the leg rest and arms are in the downward position shown in Fig. 2. This location of the pivotal points 64 is conveniently accomplished by making the links of the curved form shown so that they may be described as being convex rearwardly (Fig. 2) or downwardly (Fig. 1). Other shapes of arms are possible so long as the positioning of the points 64 is as described. The curved shape makes a structure having a pleasing appearance and the downward curvature of the arms between the rear edge of the leg rest and the edge of the seat keeps the arms out of the way of possible contact with the legs of the user resting on the leg rest. The links 62 are so located that the axis of thrust (indicated by the dot-and-dash line in Fig. 2) always passes below'the pivot axis 58 both in the retracted position shown in Fig. 2 and in the advanced position shown in Fig. 1. This makes it possible for the thrust of the links to advance the leg rest and hold it in its operative position. The location of the pivot points 64 behind or under what may be termed the plane of the leg rest passing through the pivot points 58 enables the thrust links to hold the leg rest extended even in constructions where the direction of thrust is in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the seat.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a chair construction embodying a linkage similar in principle to that of the chair shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this instance the drive link 49 connected to the back rest 23 operates a guide plate 43a similar to plate 43 but of somewhat different shape. This is connected by a link 47 to the chair seat side frame at point 48. The leg rest 54 is mounted on leg rest carrying arms 56a which are pivoted to the seat side frames at 58. These carrying arms 56a have curved extensions 60a which curve around under the axis 58 and have pivoted to them at points 64 forward links 62 which are thrust links owing to the fact that the ends of the extensions 60a are located below the axis 58. The forward links 62 are pivoted at 66 to guide levers 70a pivoted at 72a to the chair seat side frames. Second connecting links 74a are pivoted to the guide levers or links 68a at 4 intermediate points 70a and to the seat guide links or plates 43a at points 76a. In this form as in that previously described the linkage ratio may be determined by the location of the pivot points 68a.

Figs. 5 and 6 show another construction of leg rest operating linkage which produces a greater range of movement of the leg rest than those previously described. In this construction as shown in Fig. 5, the leg rest 54, when the chair is in an. upright sitting position, occupies a position retracted underneath the chair seat. The linkage operates to swing the leg rest through practically to the advanced position shown in Fig. 6. In this construction the leg rest carrying arms 56a are of a different shape from that of the arms 56 previously described. They are pivoted at 58 to the seat side members and are of somewhat S-shape. At a point between the pivots 58 and the ends to which the leg rest 54 is attached, the arms have an angularly projecting portion 102 to which the thrust links 620 are pivoted at 104. The links 620 are pivoted at 66 to the levers 680 which are pivoted between their ends at the chair seat at points 70. The lower ends of the levers 68c are connected by pull links 106 to chair seat tilting levers 108 at points 110. The chair seat tilting levers have rollers 112 at their upper ends which engage the bottom of the sea-t and lift it when the levers 108 are swung about the points 116 at which they are pivoted to the chair frame. The lower ends of the levers 103 are connected by drive links 114 to the lower end of the back rest to which they are pivoted at points 118. This linkage is such that there is a high multiplication of movement transmitted to the leg rest so that the latter is moved approximately 180 as stated.

It is understood that certain parts, elements or mechanisms shown in a certain figure may be substituted for corresponding parts, elements, or mechanisms of the embodiments shown in other figures of the drawings.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion, and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a reclining article of furniture including a sta' tionary frame, a seat and a back rest mounted on said frame movable from upright sitting to reclining positions, and a leg rest movable from a retracted to a projected position, means for operating the leg rest in accordance with the movements of the seat and back rest, comprising an arm pivoted to the seat near the front thereof on the outer end of which the leg rest is mounted, the inner edge of the leg rest being spaced from the pivotal axis of the arm so as to clear the front edge of the seat when the arm is moved about said axis, linkage for moving said seat when said back rest is moved including a seat guide link pivoted to the stationary frame, an operating link pivoted to the back rest and to said seat guide link, an operative connection between the seat guide link and the seat, a leg rest guide link pivoted at a point below its upper end to the seat, a'first link pivoted at its rear end to said leg rest guide link at a point above the pivotal point of the leg rest guide link to the seat, the other end of said first link being pivoted to said leg rest carrying arm at a point removed from the pivotal axis of said arm, and a second leg rest actuating link pivoted at its forward end to said leg rest guide link, and its rear end to said seat guide link.

2. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which said leg rest carrying arm has a part between the pivotal axis of the arm and the inner edge of the leg rest below the level of a plane passing through the leg rest when raised and said pivotal axis, the first leg rest operating link being a thrust link pivoted to the part of said arm below the level of said plane, the axis of thrust of said link passing below the pivotal axis of the arm in both raised and retracted position.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which'the leg rest carrying arm has a bent extension portion extending forwardly and downwardly beyond the pivotal axis of the arm, the first leg rest operating link being pivoted to said extension. I

4. In a reclining article of furniture including a stationary frame, a seat and a back rest mounted on said frame movable from uprightsitting to reclining positions, and a leg rest movable from a retracted to a projected position, means for operating the leg rest in accordance with the movements of the seat and back rest, comprising an arm pivoted to the seat near the front thereof on the outer end of which the leg rest is mounted, the inner l edge of the leg rest being spaced from the pivotal axis of the arm so as to clear the front edge of the seat when the arm'is moved about said axis, linkage for moving said seat when said back rest is moved comprising a-seat guide link pivoted to the stationary frame, an operating link pivoted to the back rest and to said seat guide link, and a seat control link pivoted to said guide link and to the seat, a leg rest guide link pivoted at a point below its upper end to the seat, a first ,link pivoted at its rear end of said leg rest guide link at a point above the pivotal point of the leg rest guide link to the seat, the other end of said first link being pivoted to said leg rest carrying arm at a point, removed from the pivotal axis of said arm, and a second leg rest actuating link pivoted at its forward end to said leg rest guide link, and its rear end to said seat guide link.

5. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the leg rest guide link is pivoted to the seat at a point intermediate of its length, the first leg rest actuating link being pivoted to said leg rest guide link above the pivotal point thereof and the second leg rest actuating link being pivoted to said leg rest guide link below its pivotal axis.

'6. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the leg rest guide link is pivoted to the seat at its lower end, the first leg rest actuating link being pivoted to the upper end of said guide link and the second leg rest actuating link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said leg rest guide link.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

